Ribbon feed mechanism



March 2, 1965 J. B. ODANIEL ETAL 3, 71,530

RIBBON FEED MECHANISM Filed June 26, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.|

INVENTORS. JEROME B. O'DANlEL LEON E. P R

BY C

ATTORNEY.

March 1965 J. B. ODANIEL ETAL 3,171,530

RIBBON FEED MECHANISM Filed June 26. 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 1965 J. B. ODANIEL ETAL 3,171,530

RIBBON FEED MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 26, 1962 United States Patent 3,171,530 RIBBON FEED MECHANHSM Jerome B. ODaniel and Leon E. Palmer, Lexington, Ky.,

assignors to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 26, 1962, Ser. No. 205,392 13 Claims. (Cl. 197-151) This invention is directed to ribbon feeding mechanisms for typewriters, and more particularly to mechanisms which are adjustable manually for causing different feeding operations depending on the kind of ribbon used.

The quality of typing obtained with a fabric or cloth ribbon is not the best but the amount of satisfactory typing that can be done with such ribbon and the fact that it is less expensive may make it the most desirable. Typing operations should not take place successively on the same area of a cloth ribbon since time is needed for such area to recover after each use. This ribbon may be fed, however, back and forth many times before it needs to be discarded. Some ink is delivered to the used areas between passes by capillary action and, even though the quantity of print decreases slightly on each pass, it is left to the operator to decide when the ribbon should be changed.

A higher quality of print can be obtained from a plastic ribbon like that disclosed in a co-pending application, Serial Number 171,188, field February 5, 1962, by H. T. Findlay et al. This ribbon has many small pockets in which ink is entrapped and a small portion of the ink is forced from these pockets on each typing operation. There is no passing of ink between the pockets by capillary action as there is in a cloth ribbon and so there is no need to wait for a recovery of the ribbon after a typing action. A'number of high quality printed characters can be obtained when typing successively on the same area of the plastic ribbon. In order to get the maximum use from a ribbon of this type, the feed mechanism is designed to shift the ribbon transversely a slight amount after each character is typed. During this time there is no feeding of the ribbon longitudinally. As each character is typed it overlaps partially the area engaged by the type element during the typing of the preceding character. The transverse motion of the ribbon is such that substantially the full width of the ribbon is subjected to the action of the type elements. After the ribbon has been subjected in one transverse path to a predetermined number of print operations, this number being so limited that high quality print is obtained for each character, the ribbon is then advanced to present a new portion which is again shifted transversely during the printing of another group of characters. The feeding mechanism is so designed that it will not reverse after the ribbon has made one complete pass and a new ribbon has to be installed on the machine. This prevents the operator from using the ribbon beyond the point at which high quality typing is obtained. At times it may be necessary that the typewriter be used for cutting a stencil. During such times there should be no feeding of the ribbon and it should be left in a low position so the type elements may act on the stencil at a point above the ribbon. The ribbon feeding mechanism of the present invention is provided with manually operated control elements which may be set by the operator for causing any one of the operations mentioned above.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved ribbon feeding mechanism for a typewriter.

Another object is to provide an improved ribbon feeding mechanism which can be adjusted by the operator to feed ribbon in different ways depending on the type of ribbon used.

3,171,530 Patented Mar. 2, 1965 Still another object is to provide a ribbon feeding mechanism which is operable to locate a ribbon in a plurality of different positions transversely of type elements during the typing of characters and then to advance it a short distance longitudinally where it is again shifted transversely of the type elements as characters are typed, such action continuing until the ribbon has been advanced its full length.

Yet another object is to provide a ribbon feed mechanism which operates to feed one type of ribbon longitudinally past typing elements with an automatic reversal in its direction of feed when either end of the ribbon is reached, and being adjustable to feed another type of ribbon longitudinally in steps after it has shifted the ribbon transversely in incremental steps for a predetermined number of typing operations, the mechanism operating with such adjustment to feed the ribbon in only one direction.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of the improved ribbon feeding mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ribbon lift mechanism associated with the feeding mechanism and operable to lift the ribbon varying distances.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 33 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of means for supporting and driving spools on which ribbon is wound.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 4, it will be noted that there is shown a pair of ratchet wheels 1 and 2 rotatably supported by a plate 3 and carrying spindles 4 on which ribbon spools may be mounted. A pawl 5 is oscillated while engaging one or the other of the ratchet wheels to cause a driving of one spool so as to wind ribbon on that spool while it is being unwound from the other spool. When the ribbon has been completely wound onto the driven spool, a member 6 is moved into the path of the pawl so it is driven rearwardly by the latter during the next oscillation. At the same time, an arm 7 on the member 6 is positioned in front of a transversely extending arm 8 on a toggle member 10. As the member 6 is moved rearwardly, the toggle member is rocked in a counterclockwise direction and acts through a spring 11 to swing the pawl 5 into engagement with the other ratchet Wheel. This mechanism is described completely in US. Patent 2,902,136, issued September 1, 1959 to W. B. Whippo and further description herein is believed to be unnecessary.

Formed in the plate 3 adjacent its ends are slots 14 through which screws may be inserted into openings 15 (FIG. 1) in a carrier 16 for a single print head like that shown in the patent. The carrier slides along a shaft 17 and carries with it a sleeve 18 which is keyed for rotation with the shaft while sliding longitudinally thereof. Mounted on the sleeve is a cam 20 which is operable to drive a member 21 slidably mounted on a bracket 22 connected, as shown in FIG. 3, to the carrier 16. One end of the member 21 is bent upwardly to provide a surface 23 which acts on the cam 20, and its other end is also bent upwardly to provide a surface 25 which acts on a member 26 pivotally supported by a pin 27 in a bracket 23 attached by means, not shown, to the plate 3. The lower end of the pawl 5 is loosely mounted on the pin 27 and has a finger 29 acting on the member 26 so that a rocking of the latter in a counterclockwise direction causes the pawl to swing in the same direction against the action of a spring 30. It will be seen that this causes a driving of one or the other of the ratchet wheels 1 and 2.

V has been "completed, pawl- 35 is lifted only far enough to perm-it them ember 21 to move toward the cam 20 until 1 the portion 37 engages the shoulder 38. The next rotation apprecratedthat this maybe changed to any figure desire H Themechanism f r I V v versely isl shown in :FIGgZand is' generall-y like-th'atgd:

20, the pawl 5 is driven ia distance to rotate one of the ratchetwheelstwo teeth. This drive is employed-whens. fabric ribbon-is used in order to advance it'far en'ough V either direction;

so-there is no overlapping of ribbon areas engaged by type elements during successive typing operations. VJhen a plastic ribbon like that mentioned above is used, the

inern ber 21 is driven: only farenough to actuate the-pawl f StEor rotating afratchet wheel one tooth. space, and this 7 v V 4 extending ribbon guide -.rr 1e mbers56, as shown; Thefian.

driving of the member takes place fa-f-ter a'pre deterrn-ined'. num ber offprint operationshave been completed. f When the typewriter is beingused to cut stencil, the member 21 is, held free of the cam" so that no feeding at the ribbon takes place. V I

Control of e movement by the mentber 21 is accomplished bytwo latching pawl-s and36 pivotally mounted on the bracket 22' and engageable with the edge ofa -laterally projecting portion '37 on the 'rnerrrber 2-1-:'- Pawl 35 controls movement of member 21when a plastic rib: hon is being used and has ,;two spaced shoulders 'and 3-9. which may be located selectively in the path of the, project- .ing'porti0n-37. 'when'theshoulder'38engages theportion 37, the'rnem ber 21 is held in a position whichipermi ts its actuationhy the camonly far. enough to rock the pawl 'for driving a' ratchet whfeelfofie tooth. With-the memberi2l moved to its extremeposition "by-the high point of the cam, the shoulder '39 drops introntjof the portion 37 andholds the inernberf'21' free from any act-ion by the cam. During'a predetermined number ofprint-l. V V p 7 xportion of the carrier 16." -The lever 64 is of-arcuateshape,

asshown illFIG; 2 and torined at spaced points along operations, the shoulder 39 0a pawl 35 holds the fmern ber 21, as shown-in FIG. 3, to prevent a" feeding of the ribbon longitudinally. As'soon as the number of print operations of; the Team moves 'the member 21 'toi-dri've'"one of {the ratchet wheels one tooth and thenthe shoulder 39'h01ds the member 21 free of .the camjuntil the predetermined nunrberof print" operations has been completed again. Pawl 36 has a single s houlder ii) which i s engageable'wi-th the portion 37 for holding the member 21 free of the; 20"." This pawl isiactive vto"f 'ireventf iihbon fie'ed: when themechanism is adjusted forcutting ste'ncilig The}; mechanisms {for eontrollingpawls 35 and 36 will be :de-' V a 1 e e 50 a shghtamount oneachprintoperation to locate theribhen in a'difierent transverse position. This means cornprise's'a lever 74 (FIGI 1) mounted on the pivot pin 65 scribed later.

'm a tion. it is necessary that the ribbon be rai'sedinfront H of the type e lernent to efie t 'ptint in g land then be'lowered f so the'operator can see whati'wtas printed; When a fa'b-ri'c c 7 55 77 which engages a cam 78fixed to turn with a ratchet ribbon is used, the distance 'ligft'ed'is the sam e for ea-ch'prim' operation but thisfdistan'c'e ma be'changed'by the operator to either low. medium orhi'gh. With'ithe feed. mechanism V I I gnedjto shift 'i hz rihbon transversely. m -wetter r s t q s lat Qft YP skL- efor'e 'it is' advanced lopg'tudinallyfl It will be.

ee 'iil h t eIQR Y'Qf the ilib 'm g ade; siredqualityof'printing.

f iff lifting or shitting the ribbon tnans scribed in U15." l fatent 12.919,Q()8;jissued ecember 29;,

1 95i9fto W.v B. Whippofi This. mechanism comprises a finger received within a bifurcated end portio n of an; 7 arm 46 pivoted on a plate member 47 Which'is, infturn,

pivotally connected at 48 to a cross piece of the carrier 16;. A handle portion50 pefr'ini-ts manual'actwation of the member 47 for forcing the arm 46 against the finger 45 I to swing the outer'en-ds of theli-ft'arms 42 upwardly so 5 the ribbon israised to aposi'tion in which it may be easily changed. Connected between the flange'44 and a pin 51 on the me r nber 47 is a toggle spring 52 for holding the member 47 in either positiontowhioh it maybe moved. A'stopj p in 53 limitsthe swinging of the member 47 in Extending parallel to the. lift arms 42 is a pair of upper armsSS carrying, at one end; studs '55"which are pivotally supported in'thesicles of the carrier 16. The outer-ends of the arms 42; 55 are pivotally connected to vertically rangement is. such thata swingingof the arms42'on the rod 43 results'in a movement of the guide members up or down in arvertical-pl-ane; For swinging the arms 42 during each printjoperation there is provided a oam fol- 20 lower 57pivotally connected atSS. to oneside of the carrier 1'6 :and'engaging a camson the shaft 17. Formed in the follower 57 is an elongated slot 60 underlying one i of the arrns il, and a control rod 61 is slidahly received WlllhlfliheiSlllfl to taota's a support for the arm 42. As

25 the follower57- is-fcaused to swing about its pivot connection 58, the rod .61 is moved up anddovvn vertically a distance which'varies with the location of-the rod in-the slot 69., This causes the arms 42 to swing and raiseor lower the ribbo nguide members56. A spring 6 2 acts onthe 0 rod 61 to urg'efit toward'a position adjace'nt the pivot point j '58. For. moving the'rod to otherpositions against the action of the spring; therei=isprovided aleyer 64 conneo'te'dat' one of'itsnends tethered and .niountedxat its other end on a pivotpin 65 (FIG: 11) fixed to a transverse its inner. edge are. deteritnotches .66. A swinging of jithe i lever 64" rnanu'ally for positioning the .rodf611toflchange the amount of'ribbon liftis accomplished-by a lever'6S 40 m'ounted-onafixed pivot 69 and having a handle portion Mounted on the lever is a pin 71-which engages the nner arcu-ate sur'face of 'the'leyer 64 and isreceived infl. thenotches 66 for holding the lever-in positions to effect low, medium or high li ft of the ribbon. As the lever 68 45 is swung' in a clockwise direction; the lever 64 is caused toswingi counterclockwise ,and'move the 'rod 61 away .frornt-he'p-ivot 58. "Dhis results in a higher lititin g of the ribbon so printing.takes'place nearer to its lower edge.

. Another'rneans is provided for swinging-the lever 64 V and having a finger 75 'engageable witha'pin 76 on the lever 64. For-tr ed on the lever 74 is aiprojecting portion wheel 800d a stationary pivot 81. The lever 74 may be swung either to its operative positionshownin FIG. 1 1n 'whichit'controls the .lifting of'the ribbon or to an in- Iprovidedinits right end aislot 83 sli-dably {receiving a pin 8.4 carried by amanu aliy actuated lever 85' whi-chswings jThe 'lever 74 is heldain by a. spring $6. j. With' thejleyer 74 i meritoflthniernber 21iwhich actuatesthe ribbon dr ive C pawl 5.- During this time, the'latchingp'awl36 is held operativelposition in lwhich the projecting'por tion 77 is. 6' fteeoithecam'ifi and? the finger 75 is removed'fromthe l p na76z} For changing-the position of the'leventhereis about affco'nnecting' elementin tone-of the openings 15.2 either position to hich'it isr'noved v 7 'its operative position as is hown; the latching pawl. 35 v is operative meomrm the moveof the pin 84 as the lever 85 is swung clockwise.

shaped arm 90 on a member 91, FIG. 1, which swings about a stationary pivot 92. Extending from the member 91 to a point overlying the ratchet wheel 80 is an arm 93 having an end portion 94 lying in the path of a stud 95 projecting from the side of the cam 78.

Driving of the ratchet wheel 80 is effected by a dog 96 engaging teeth on the wheel and connected to a lever 97 pivoted at 98 and having a follower portion 99 engaging the cam 21). The ratchet wheel 80 is driven one tooth on each rotation of the shaft 17 and this takes place once for each print operation. There are twenty-two teeth on the ratchet wheel 80 as shown in FIG. 1 and this provides the means to shift theribbon transversely to twenty-two different positions relative to the type elements before the ribbon is advanced longitudinally. Obviously, this number can be changed to any figure desired depending 'on the ribbon employed. As a stepped rotation of the ratchet wheel takes place, the cam 78 rotates and rocks the lever 74 slightly so its finger 75 either positively swings the lever 64 counterclockwise or permits this lever to swing clockwise under the action of the spring 62 on the control rod 61. In either case, the position of the ;control rod is shifted slightly so as to increase or decrease the lifting of the ribbon. When the cam 78 reaches a position in which the stud 95 engages the end portion 94 of the arm 93, the next stepping of the ratchet wheel results in a rocking of the member 91 to engage its hookshaped arm 90 with the tail portion 88 of the latching pawl 35. The movement of the member 91 is just sulficient to raise the pawl until its shoulder 39 is out of the path of the projection 37 so the member 21moves toward the cam 26 until the projection engages the shoulder 38. The next rotation of the cam 20 results in a driving of the member 21 so it rocks the feed pawl 5 to drive one of the ratchet wheels for the ribbon spools a distance of one tooth space. As the member 21 is driven to advance the ribbon, the ratchet wheel 89 also turns and causes the stud 95 to slide off the end portion 94 of the arm 93. Member 91 then rocks in a direction to release the tail portion of the pawl 35 and permit the latter to engage its shoulder 39 with the portion 37 for holding the member 21 free of the cam 26 until another rotation of the cam 78 is completed.

I While the mechanism is operating as described above to produce an incremental transverse shifting of the ribing a lift of the ribbon until its upperportion is engaged by printing elements. This is the position of the control rod producing minimum lifting of the ribbon and is the position to which the control rod is permitted to move when the manually actuated lever 68 has its pin 71 located in the third notch 66 from the left end of the lever 64 as seen in FIG. 2. The control rod 61 is now free for movement in one direction under the action of the spring 62 and can be moved in the opposite direction by the finger 75 on the lever 74. i

To assure that the lever 68 is moved to its proper position when the mechanism is adjusted to lift the ribbon to different positions during typing, there is provided a member 101 mounted at one end on the pivot 69 and having a finger portion 102 extending past the left side of the handle'portion 70 on the lever 68. The other end of the member 101 carries a button 103 which is slidably received in a slot 164 formed in a bar 195, and another slot 106 in the bar slidably receives a button 107 on a bracket 108 fixed to the carrier 16. The bar 195 is provided with a hooked end 199 which receives an end portion A spring 119 is connected between the bracket 198 and the bar 105 for holding the latter in the position shown.

When it is desired to use the mechanism for feeding a "fabric ribbon, the lever 85 is rotated manually in a clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 1. This results in a sliding of the pin 34 in the slot 83 to effect a swinging of the lever 74 in a clockwise direction. The lever is rotated until the pin 84 engages the end of the bar and slides the latter to the left on the button 107. This sliding motion of the bar is continued until the right end of the slot 164 engages the button 103 and swings the member 1111 clockwise until it engages a projecting portion 111 on the member 91, causing the latter to pivot clockwise until its hooked arm 99 rocks the latching pawl 35 completely out of the path of the projection on the member 21. During this time, pin 84 slides into the hooked end 109 so that later rotation of the lever 85 counterclockwise results in a positive movement of the bar 105 to the right. Lever 85 is held in its new position by the action of the spring 86. The swinging of the lever 74 clockwise results in a movement of its projecting portion 77 to a position free of the cam 78 and also in a movement of its finger portion 75 away from the pin 76 so the lever 64 can swing clockwise until it is stopped by engagement with the pin 71 on the manually operated lever 68. The vertical lifting of the ribbon is now determined by the position of the lever 68 and remains the same for each print operation. As the member 91 is rocked to lift the latch pawl 35 free of the member 21, the arm 93 on the member is moved so its end portion 94 is out of the path of the stud 95 on the cam 78. Ratchet wheel 80 continues to be driven as the shaft 17 rotates but it has no effect on the operation of the ribbon feed mechanism. Latching pawl 36 continues to be held free of the member 21 by means which will be, described shortly. Since nothing is now obstructing movement of the member 21 it follows the cam 29 during its full revolution and actuates the ribbon feeding pawl 5 to drive the ratchet wheel 1 or 2 a distance of two teeth. When the ribbon has been fed its full distance in one direction, the pawl 5 is transferred from one ratchet wheel to the other for feeding the ribbon in the opposite direction.

With the parts of the feed mechanism in the positions shown in FIG. 1 to feed a plastic ribbon, the feed pawl S is in a position to drive the ratchet wheel 2 for feeding the ribbon from left to right. For moving the pawl to this position and holding it there to prevent a reversal of the ribbon feed, there is provided on the sliding bar a projecting portion 112 which is engageable with an arm 114 (FIG. 4) of the toggle member 10. As the bar 195 moves to the right under the action of the pin 84 on the hooked portion 199, the finger 112 acts on the arm 114 to swing the toggle member 19 to a position in which .it pulls the pawl 5 into engagement with the wheel 2.

As mentioned above, it may be desirable at times to use the typewriter for cutting stencil and the mechanism described should be prevented from either lifting the ribbon or feeding it longitudinally. After the lever 85 is rotated clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position conditioning the mechanism for fabric ribbon feed, the lever 68 is free for rotation manually to shift the pin 71 along the inner arcuate surface of the lever 64. With the lever 68 swung to its extreme left hand position, the rod 61 is held at a point in the slot 66 to give maximum lift of the ribbon for effecting typing on the low part of the ribbon. As the lever 68 is swung counterclockwise, the rod 61 moves in the slot 69 toward the pivoted end of the member 57 and reduces the lift of the ribbon. With the lever 68 in the position shown in FIG. 1, the amount of ribbon lift is only suflicient to effect engagement of the print elements with its upper portion. When the lever 68 is swung counterclockwise still further to a stencil cuttingposition, the rod 61 is located in the slot 60 over the pivot point 58 for the member 57 and no lifting of the ribbon takes place.

Formed on the lever 68 adjacent its pivoted end is a cam portion 116 which acts against a tail piece 117 on the latching pawl 36, as shown more clearly in FIG. 3, for holding the pawl out of engagement with the projec 2' V r g 7 tion 37 on the member 21. As"the lever 68 is turned counterclockwise from the position'i-n FIG. 2 to its stencil cutting position, the cam'p ortion' 116 movesaway from the tail piece 117 and permits the pawl "36-to drop, tof'its operative position. When' the: member-21 "is driven outwardly by the cam on the first rotation of the shait 17, the shoulder on the pawl 36 drops-in back' of the projection 37 and holds the member-21. from following the cam. During this-time, no feeding of thet-ribbon take's Y place. V 1

When shifting from one type of "ribbon to another, it is desirable that the i'neniberZl be'released from the pawls 35, 36 so its position is controlledautomatically depending on the positions of the manual controls. Member 21 should also be released for engagement with cam 20 when shifting to plastic ribbon in order to assure that the drive pawl-5 is in a position free of the ratchet T wheels so it maybe moved transversely, if necessary, into driving relationship with ratchet wheel 2. For lifting 1 pawls 35, 36 when the ribbon is being changed, there are provided hooked portions 120,121 on the pawlsengageable .by the flange 44 only'when thetribbon guides 56 are raised by manual'actuation of the 'rnembe r-47.'

While there have been's'hownand described the fundamental novel features of theinv ention as applied to' a preferred embodiment, it will* be understood that it may parting from the spirit "of the invention. What is claimedis: Y

l. A mechanism'for moving I versely and longitudinally relative to a point "of contact a between a print element and a platen comprising, infcor'n t be modified and embodied in variousforms without fdean inked ribbon transbination:

guiding means for said ribbon; y ,1 1 means supporting said'guiding meansfor movement in a direction extending transversely of said ribbon to locatethetlatter in different ver-ticalpositionSrelative to said point of contact, I V a member movable to, diifer'ent positions relative to Q said supporting means and acting on the latter for]: transmittingmotion thereto, saidgmember adapted tobe driven in each of its different positions for trans- .1

mitting adifierent motion to said supporting means,

" a, pair of spindles'forsupporting spools havingsaid t guiding m ne- .r

'fmeans including a pawl r imparting stepped rotation ribbon wound thereonand}'extending -through"said? Y to one of said spindlesijto eftectafeeding of said V I v v -*';a':p'air -of spindles foi 'supporting' spoolst having said ribbon longitudinally, Y, W 7 a movable element associated with said pawl; for; driving the latter, i e "-j. carn'means, Operating on "each printing actio'n by saidprint elementlfor :driving said member and said movable element, a a a 1 a latch for holding" said movable element free of said;

carn means/after each driving by the latter,

i said member relative to said supporting means, 7 and means operating after a predetermined number :off printing operations for disengaging said latchfirorn' saidrnovable element. a a a 1 2. The mechanism of claim 1 in Whichsaid means for {5 shifting sai member includes: a I a ratchet wheel, t a 1 I 7, means operating on each p 'nting action 'foradvancing said ratchet wheel; I I i t a' cam fixed to said ratchet, wheeltor rotationtherewith, I 1i and a lever arranged for actuation bysaid cam and operatively connected to said memberffor shifting thelatter. 7 i T V 3; A mechanismforfmoving an inked ribbon selective- Ily ,either "different distances transversely relative, to a point of m q b tween a print element and a platen on;

each Print 9pratiqn and than g'jthe ribb on-a.75'

40 i K v and means moving with said manually actuated control -55 a i V i V V j, and means 'for holding sail feedpawl in engagement 7 means operating on each prrntrngactmnfor Slllftlllg V m'first lever isqin a 'positior is t-o-be actuated b'y said unit distance after a predetermined number of print op- "erations :or moving it alfiXed distancettransver'sely and advancing it on each print operation comprising, in com binati'onr I J I aribbon guide, a

i a member-acting on said guide and adapted to be driven holding it-free of saidsecond clam means,

, steps oneach print action, a first lever adapted to be actuated by said control cam for-moving said member to ditferent positions, a' second lever"adapted -to be actuated for releasing saidlatchfrom said'oscillated element, 7

means movingwith' said control cam and operating after a predetermined-number of print-actions for actuating momentarilysaid'second lever, I ;'and manually operated means for moving said first lever to a position freeof said controlcam and movin'gsaid second 'lever to aposition for holding said '"latchireleased; j j 4. 51heme'chanism of. claim 3 including:

- a manually actuatedoontro1 element for moving said member-to any one of different positions when said first'leverismoved to'a position free ,ofsaid control and said-second lever is moved to a position holding saidl latch released.

'5 .lI he mechanism of: cla m 4 including:

for holding it rree of said se'condcam means,

element for 'holdingl'said secondlatch normally out a of engagement withisaid oscillated element, saidilast mentioned 7 means; operating to "release said second a latch when said" control-element is moved to, a posi tion' locatingfsaid member so tliat no' transverse motion of-said r-ibbon takes'placeg i The-mechanism oficlaini 3 including: I

ribbon wound thereon and guiding means, a i p a ratchetwheel'fixed-to each-of s'aid spindles, I a feed pawl engag'e'able with either of said ratchet *wvheels andarran'ged in driven relationship with said -oscillated-elernent,

{extending through said withflonly'oneof said ratchet wheels as long as said Q icontrollcamrf r 1 -'7-.- Amechanism for moving an inked ribbon 'selectively a ribbon guide, v 1- I v I arnernber acting on said guide and adapted tolbe driven 'for j moving said ribbon ina'a transverse' direction,

means lncluding'a control' carn which is advanced in a" secondlatch engageable with said oscillated element said member being movable to 'dilferent positions f relative to said guide ior; varying said-:-transverse means including a control cam which is advanced in steps on each print action,

, a first lever adapted to be actuated by said control cam for moving said member to different positions,

a second lever adapted to be actuated for releasing said latch from said oscillatable element,

means moving with said control cam and operating after a predetermined number of print actions for actuating momentarily said second lever to release said oscillatable element for movement from the first position held to its second held position,

and manually operated means for moving said first lever to a position free of said control cam and moving said second lever to a position completely releasing said latch from said oscillatable element.

8. The mechanism of claim 7 including:

a manually actuated lever which is operable to move said member to any one of different positions when said first lever is moved to a position free of said control cam and said second lever is moved to a position holding said latch released.

a second latch engageable with said oscillatable element for holding it free of said second cam means,

and a projecting portion on said manually actuated lever acting on said second latch for holding it normally out of engagement with said oscillatable element,

' said projecting portion moving to a position for releasing-said second latch when said manually actuated lever is moved to a position locating said member so that no transverse motion of said ribbon takes place. 9. A mechanism for feeding an inked ribbon relative to a point of contact between a print element and a platen comprising, in combination:

guiding means for said ribbon,

a member acting on said guiding means for transmitting motion thereto in a direction extending transversely of said ribbon, said member being movable to different positions relative to said guiding means for varying the amount of motion transmitted,

means operating on each printing action by said print element for moving said member to a different one of said different positions,

means operating on each printing action for driving said member to effect movement of said guiding means,

and means operating after a predetermined number of print actions for advancing said ribbon a unit distance longitudinally,

said means for moving said member to a different one of said different positions and said means for advancing said ribbon comprising a ratchet wheel,

means operating on each print action for stepping said ratchet wheel,

a cam fixed to said ratchet wheel for rotation therewith,

means including a lever actuated by said cam and operatively connected to said member for moving the latter,

and means including an element rotating with said ratchet wheel and operating on each rotation of the latter for advancing said ribbon.

10. A mechanism for feeding an inked ribbon relative to a point of contact between a print element and a platen wherein the ribbon is of the type which is fed longitudinally once past said point of contact and discarded comprising, in combination:

guiding means for said ribbon,

a member acting on said guiding means for transmitting motion thereto in a direction extending transversely of said ribbon, said member being movable to different positions relative to said guiding means for varying the amount of motion transmitted,

means operating on each printing operation of said print element for moving said member to a different one of said different positions,

means operating on each printing operation of said print element for driving said member to effect movement of said guiding means,

means for advancing said ribbon longitudinally a predetermined distance in response to and during at least a portion of the print operations,

and means interconnecting said means for moving said member to a different one of said different positions and said means for advancing said ribbon longitudinally to cause at least portions of the areas of said ribbon brought to printing position during successive print operations to overlie a line extending transversely and perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of advance of said ribbon across the Width of said ribbon.

11. A mechanism for feeding an inked ribbon relative to a point of contact between a print element and a platen wherein the ribbon is of the type which is fed longitudinally once past said point of contact and discarded comprising, in combination:

means including a cyclically operable print shaft for effecting relative movement between said print element and said platen to cause printing of characters;

guiding means for said ribbon;

a member acting on said guiding means for transmitting motion thereto in a direction extending transversely of said ribbon, said member being movable to different positions relative to said guiding means to determine the amount of motion transmitted,

means including a cam means driven from said print shaft for moving said member to a different one of said different positions on each print operation,

means including a cam rotatable with said print shaft for driving said member while in any of its positions to effect movement of said guiding means,

means driven from said print shaft on at least a portion of the print operations for advancing said ribbon longitudinally a predetermined distance,

and means interconnecting said means for moving said member to a different one of said different positions and said means for advancing said ribbon longitudinally so that at least portions of the areas of said ribbon brought to printing position during successive print operations overlie a line extending transversely and perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction of advance of said ribbon across the Width of said ribbon.

12. A mechanism for feeding an inked ribbon relative to a point of contact between a print element and a platen wherein the ribbon is of the type which is fed longitudinally once past said point of contact and discarded comprising, in combination:

means including a cyclically operable print shaft for effecting relative movement between said print element and said platen to cause printing of characters;

guiding means for said ribbon;

a member acting on said guiding means for transmitting motion thereto in a direction extending transversely of said ribbon, said member being movable to different positions relative to said guiding means to determine the amount of motion transmitted,

means including a cam means driven from said print shaft for moving said member to a different one of said different positions on each print operation,

said ratchetr wheel,-, v a a i V I and an element rotatin'g with said ratchetwheel for actuatingsaidimeans 'for' adYancingsaid-ribbon longi-- meansincludinga cam rotatable with saidprint shaft 7 for drivingsaid member While'in" any of its positions to efiect movementof said-guidingmeansg i means; driven, fromsaid printflshaft on atlea'staQ p011;

, tion ofithe print operations'foradvancingsaid ribbon 1 longitudinally a; predetermined distance, 1

'means interconnecting saidmeansfor movmgisaid member'toa different. one of said differentipositions and said means; for advancing, said: ribbon lo'ngitu idinally so that'at; least portionsofi the'areas ofsaid ribbon brought: to printing position during successive prinhoperationsoverlie a line eirtending transversely' and perpendicularly with respect to thelongitudinal directionof advance of said ribbon across said means interconnecting said means for moving said 7 a member to a different: one of said different positions and said: means for advancing comprising aratchet WheeL, V

pawlmeans 'operating on'said'ratchet wheel. for stepping: the {same oneach printoperation,

said cannmeans: being associated tudinally; t 7 '13. A mechanismifor feedingan inked ,ribbonrelative toa point-ofcontactobetween a print element anda platen wherein the ribbon. is of the type Which'is fed jlo-ngitw. I dinallyonce: past: said: point on contact and discarded comprising, in combination: 7 p means including a; cyclically operable-print" sbaft'for effectingrelative;movement, between said print e1e' mentiandzsaidzplaten-to causeprintingoftcharacters, guiding means for said ribbon, f

ta inember acting onsaid' guiding'means for "transmitting motion thereto in:- a: direction "extending. transversely of said ribbon; said member being movable t'o "difierent positions-relative tofsaidj gtiidingmeans I v to. determine" the amount of moition transmitted,

and rotatablev with I means: including a cam'means driven from said print shaft for. moving 'saidi member to a diiferent one of V said.differentpositionson eachprinttope'ration,

means-including a cam rotatable. with said print; shaft for driving said member while many ofits positions toeffeet movement ,ofhsaid guiding'means,

' means driven from said printshaft on at least a porsaid'means for movingrsaid mernber to different one of ,jsaid difierent positions comprising'a cam follower L means-engagingsaidcam means,

means to selectively move said earnv follower means between e'fiective -and, ineffective cam following positions with'respect to said carn means,

o and'rneansajctuated by saidfmeans-toselectively move whemsa-id: ,cam:follower means is moved to said ineffective camfollowing position to position said member. actingjon said guiding means'in avpredeter-i omined 'position andto' prevent; operation of: said means for advancing'said-ribbon.

ReI- 'ere nces: Cited fi fli file of this patent- U NITEDS'F ATES PATENTS 

1. A MECHANISM FOR MOVING AN INKED RIBBON TRANSVERSELY AND LONGITUDINALLY RELATIVE TO A POINT OF CONTACT BETWEEN A PRINT ELEMENT AND A PLATEN COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: GUIDING MEANS FOR SAID RIBBON, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID GUIDING MEANS FOR MOVEMENT IN A DIRECTION EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID RIBBON TO LOCATED THE LATTER IN DIFFERENT VERTICAL POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID POINT OF CONTACT, A MEMBER MOVABLE TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORTING MEANS AND ACTING ON THE LATTER FOR TRANSMITING MOTION THERETO, SAID MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE DRIVEN IN EACH OF ITS DIFFERENT POSITIONS FOR TRANSMITTING A DIFFERENT MOTION TO SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, A PAIR OF SPINDLES FOR SUPPORTING SPOOLS HAVING SAID RIBBON WOUND THEREON AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID GUIDING MEANS, MEANS INCLUDING A PAWL FOR IMPARTING STEPPED ROTATION TO ONE OF SAID SPINDLES TO EFFECT A FEEDING OF SAID RIBBON LONGITUDINALLY, A MOVABLE ELEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PAWL FOR DRIVING THE LATTER, CAM MEANS OPERATING ON EACH PRINTING ACTION BY SAID PRINT ELEMENT FOR DRIVING SAID MEMBER AND SAID MOVABLE ELEMENT, A LATCH FOR HOLDING SAID MOVABLE ELEMENT FREE OF SAID CAM MEANS AFTER EACH DRIVING BY THE LATTER, MEANS OPERATING ON EACH PRINTING ACTION FOR SHIFTING SAID MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, AND MEANS OPERATING AFTER A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF PRINTING OPERATIONS FOR DISENGAGING SAID LATCH FROM SAID MOVABLE ELEMENT. 